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Vision, Mission, Strategic Priorities

Vision, Mission, Strategic Priorities

WMO provides world leadership and expertise in international cooperation in the delivery and use of high-quality, authoritative weather, climate, hydrological and related environmental services by its Members, for the improvement of the well-being of societies of all nations.

The mission of WMO is to:

Facilitate worldwide cooperation in the establishment of networks of stations for the making of meteorological observations as well as hydrological and other geophysical observations related to meteorology, and to promote the establishment and maintenance of centres charged with the provision of meteorological and related services.

Promote the establishment and maintenance of systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information.

Promote standardization of meteorological and related observations and to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics.

Further the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, water problems, agriculture and other human activities.

Promote activities in operational hydrology and to further close cooperation between Meteorological and Hydrological Services.

Encourage research and training in meteorology and, as appropriate, in related fields, and to assist in coordinating the international aspects of such research and training.

Strategic planning

The WMO Strategic Plan sets the directions and priorities to guide the activities of Members and constituent bodies to enable the improvement of their core information, products and services, to maintain necessary infrastructures and to directly benefit from advancements in science and technology. This Plan emphasizes seven key priorities.

These priorities reflect the inputs from all WMO Members and constituent bodies and guided decisions for the WMO Strategic Plan 2016-2019 (link below) to ensure the greatest benefits to Members. These priorities as well as expected results (Annex I) are reflected in the integrated WMO results-based budget and detailed in the WMO Operating Plan, which presents time-bound programme activities and projects. The WMO Operating Plan forms the basis for resource allocation, and defines the risks and performance matrices against which to assess progress to achieve expected results through the WMO Monitoring and Evaluation System.

Planning process

WMO has built its strategic planning on the results-based management (RBM) concept, which also steers programme definition, implementation and management in the Secretariat. This approach enables the Organization to better achieve its objectives and assist Members in realizing their own sustainable plans. The WMO strategic planning process begins with the integration of Members’ input into a high-level planning document that defines the global societal needs, strategies thrusts, strategic priorities and expected results.

Seven strategic priorities of WMO

Disaster Risk Reduction

Improve the accuracy and effectiveness of impact-based forecasts and multi-hazard early warnings of high impact meteorological, hydrological and related environmental hazards from the tropics to the poles, thereby contributing to international efforts on disaster risk reduction, resilience and prevention, in particular in response to the risks associated with increasing population exposure.

Strengthen the global observing systems through full implementation of WMO Integrated Global Observing System and WMO Information System for robust, standardized, integrated, accurate and quality assured relevant observations of the Earth System to support all WMO priorities and expected results.

Aviation

Improve the ability of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to provide sustainable high quality services in support of safety, efficiency and regularity of air traffic management worldwide, with due account to environmental factors by:

(a) accelerating the implementation of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/WMO competency and qualification standards and Quality Management Systems
(b) addressing emerging requirements and challenges related to the 2013–2028 Global Air Navigation Plan, in particular ICAO’s Block 1 Upgrades
(c) strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of aeronautical meteorological service provision through improved cost recovery mechanisms and suitable business models for service delivery frameworks

Polar and High Mountain Regions

(a) operationalizing the Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW)
(b) better understanding the implications of changes in these regions on the global weather and climate patters
(c) advancing the polar prediction under the Global Integrated Polar Prediction System (GIPPS)

Capacity Development

Enhance the capacity of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to deliver on their mission by developing and improving competent human resource, technical and institutional capacities and infrastructure, particularly in developing, least developed and small island developing states.

Governance

Improve efficiency and effectiveness of WMO though adopting continuous improvement measures and recommendations based on a strategic review of WMO structures, operating arrangements and budgeting practices.